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Monitoring Spatial Segregation in Surface Colonizing Microbial Populations
Published on: October 29, 2016
Examining non-racial segregation: a micro-ecological approach.
Russell Orr1, Shelley McKeown, Ed Cairns
1School of Psychology, University of Ulster, Londonderry, Northern Ireland. orr-r1@email.ulster.ac.uk
The British Journal of Social Psychology
|November 29, 2011
Summary
Informal social segregation persists even in non-racial settings. This study adapted a micro-ecological technique to observe seating patterns in a Northern Ireland university, revealing continued segregation throughout a semester.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Micro-ecology
- Sociology
Background:
- Previous studies identified informal segregation in racially divided societies (South Africa, USA).
- This segregation persists in everyday spaces, resisting macro-level social policy changes.
- Research has primarily focused on race-based segregation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To adapt and apply a micro-ecological technique to a non-racially segregated environment.
- To investigate informal segregation in lecture theatres at a university in Northern Ireland.
- To assess the persistence of segregation patterns over a semester.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a micro-ecological technique focusing on seating patterns.
- Analyzed seat selection data within university lecture theatres.
- Tracked segregation levels throughout an academic semester.
Main Results:
- Significant levels of informal social segregation were observed.
- Segregation patterns persisted consistently throughout the semester.
- The micro-ecological methodology proved effective in capturing segregation data.
Conclusions:
- Informal social segregation can exist independently of race-based societal structures.
- The adapted micro-ecological technique is a viable tool for studying social contact.
- Findings have implications for understanding social dynamics in diverse, non-racialized settings.
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